Rear-view mirror system

ABSTRACT

Rear-view mirror system for use in a vehicle, e.g. an automobile, comprising in combination with a conventional adjustable plane rear-view mirror, an additional pair of mirrors, one of such additional mirrors being a plane mirror which faces forward, and the second additional mirror being a spherical segment facing the rear, and mounted on the roof of the automobile, a glass window being mounted in an opening in the roof of the automobile, whereby the driver may tilt his conventional rear-view mirror upward to thus view the exterior spherical mirror by reflection from the first planar additional mirror, so as to provide a wide angle view to the rear of the vehicle without having to move the eye to any greater extent than when employing a conventional rear-view mirror.

United States Patent [191 Rowley 1 Jan. 29, 1974 REAR-VIEW MIRROR SYSTEM[76] Inventor: David S. Rowley, 2350 Berkeley St.,

Salt Lake City, Utah 84109 [22] Filed: May 22, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:255,699

[52] US. Cl 350/302, 350/299, 350/301, 350/293 [51] Int. Cl. G02b 5/08[58] Field of Search... 350/288, 305, 302, 307, 293, 350/294, 299

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,085,000 6/1937 Borba etal. 350/302 2,197,280 4/1940 Topping 350/301 2,942,522 6/1960 Merriam350/302 2,221,449 11/1940 Hoeninghausen 1. 350/293 3,498,697 3/1970Matteo 350/302 1,798,837 2/1930 Greensfe1der.... 350/293 3,463,5788/1969 Smith 350/302 2,257,510 9/1941 Mote 350/293 Primary ExaminerDavidSchonberg Assistant ExaminerMichael J. Tokar Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Bernard Kriegel 5 7 ABSTRACT Rear-view mirror system for use in avehicle, eg an automobile, comprising in combination with a conventionaladjustable plane rear-view mirror, an additional pair of mirrors, one ofsuch additional mirrors being a plane mirror which faces forward, andthe second additional mirror being a spherical segment facing the rear,and mounted on the roof of the automobile, a glass window being mountedin an opening in the roof of the automobile, whereby the driver may tilthis conventional rear-view mirror upward to thus view the exteriorspherical mirror by reflection from the first planar additional mirror,so as to provide a wide angle view to the rear of the vehicle withouthaving to move the eye to any greater extent than when employing aconventional rear-view mirror.

26 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures REAR-VIEW MIRROR SYSTEM This inventionrelates to a rear-view mirror system for vehicles, particularlyautomobiles, and is especially designed to provide a wide angle view tothe rear and sides of an automobile.

Conventional rear-view mirrors mounted in vehicles provide a relativelynarrow angle of rear-view vision through the rear window, andaccordinglyhave a large blind angle on both sides of the vehicle beyond the limitedangle of view through the rear window on both sides of the vehicle.

Various systems have been proposed in the prior art in an effort tosolve this problem. However, most of these systems still result in arestricted field of view to the rear, without permitting the driver toview into the blind spots left and right of the driver. Illustrativesystems providing only a restricted rear view are for example thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2.085,000; 2,252,161; and 2,569,576. Many ofthese systems also are relatively complex periscope-like devices, employing lens systems, and some of the prior art devices such as thatdisclosed in 2,569,576 are both complex and expensive.

Thus, as previously noted, the main defect of the prior art devices isthat they do not provide the driver with the two essential elements of asuccessful system at the same time, namely: the rear view is not at thesame time wide angle, and seen in a single image display within thefield of view of the drivers eye, without moving the eye to survey. theimage presented. The prior art, as illustrated above, has attempted toaccomplish these important criteria, but has failed to do so. Thus, inU.S. Pat. No. 3,498,697 although the patent shows obtention of a wideangle view employing such system, since the forward mirror surface ofthe system of this patent extends across the entire width of thevehicle, it would be necessary for the driver to move his eyes back andforth to scan the forward mirror surface in order to obtain informationabout the view to the rear. This has the fatal disadvantage that makingthe driver move his eyes and swivel his head from side to side in orderto obtain the entire rear view through the mirror, detracts from thedrivers capability in devoting his attention to the traffic and the roadahead. Thus, it is of particular importance that a successful rear-viewsystem give the driver more information and greater safety withoutrequiring him to do other things which would reduce or impair hisability to operate the vehicle.

Accordingly, it is a particular object of the present invention toprovide an unobstructed single image view to the rear and sides of avehicle, preferably including at least 100 field of view. Other objectsof the invention are to eliminate driver blind spots normally occurringat the left and right quarters of the drivers vehicle; to provide theoperator with the above-noted wide angle view to the rear so as toprovide a greater amount of information about the condition of the roadto the sides and to the rear, without requiring additional driver time,energy or fatigue;,to provide a practical and relatively inexpensivemeans or device for obtaining an over-the-top 100 field of view to therear 'and sides of the vehicle, and which can be installed on a vehicleat the time of manufacture; to provide a dependable and simpleoptical-mechanical viewing system of the above characteristics, which isreliable and relatively trouble free; to permit employment of theexisting adjustable rear view mirror as an integral part of the viewingsystem and to permit bypassing of the wide angle viewing system andreturn to use of the ordinary rear-view mirror as desired, e.g. forreasons of weather, damage, or the like.

The above objects are achieved according to the present invention by theprovision of a rear-view mirror system for use in vehicles, particularlya passenger automobile, wherein an additional pair of mirrors isprovided, in combination with the conventional plane rearview mirror, sothat the driver may tilt such conventional mirror upward to thus view anexterior spherical mirror mounted on the roof of the vehicle, comprisingone of such additional mirrors, to provide a wider field of vision tothe rear. Thus, the invention system employs a conventional planerear-view mirror, together with a second planar mirror, which facesforward toward the above conventional rear-view mirror, and a thirdmirror in the form of a spherical segment, which is mounted on the topof the vehicle. The second and third mirrors preferably areprogressively larger in area so as to fill the field of view in theregular rear-view mirror.

All three mirrors of the invention system preferably are mountedapproximately on the center line of the vehicle, the driver beinglocated to the left of such center line, both the second and thirdmirrors preferably being adjustable as desired, and as described ingreater detail below, although if desired, such second and third mirrorscan be fixed, that is non-adjustable. A glass window is mounted in anopening in the roof of the vehicle to pass reflected rays from thespherical segment mirror to the second planar mirror, and thence forwardto the conventional rear-view mirror. Such glass window is sealed toprevent dirt and weather from entering the vehicle from the outside.

The first and second plane adjustable mirror group, together with thespherical mirror segment on the roof, provide at least ad 66 wide fieldof View over the top of the vehicle to the rear thereof at the left andright of the drive, including an at least wide view on each side of thecenter line, at a single'glance in the conventional first plane mirror.This eliminates blind spots to the left and right of the vehicle with nomore additional effort in viewing this wide angle scene on the part ofthe driver, than would ordinarily be required in the drivers glancingthrough the conventional plane rear-view mirror. Further, the device ofthe invention is relatively simple and inexpensive, and can be'installedreadily on vehicles in use, as well as new vehicles at the factory. Theinvention system has the additional virtue that simply by tilting theconventional rear-view mirror of the system downward, one can viewdirectly through the rear window as in conventional practice.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to thedescription below of a preferred embodiment, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the rear-view mirror system of the inventioninstalled in a passenger automobile;

FIG. 2 is a detailed illustration of the mirror system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the supporting structure for the sphericalmirror mounted on the auto roof;

FIG. 3a is a front view of the top mounted spherical mirror, taken online 3a3a of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2, showingthe structure for attachment of the top mounted mirror to the auto roof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view detail over the drivers roof with aportion of the roof broken away and showing the supporting and adjustingmechanism for the mirror mounted in the auto and depending from the roofstructure, and

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematic illustration of the rear-view apparatusof the invention, indicating the relative positions of the operator andof the three mirror surfaces.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the mirror system of the inventioncomprises three mirrors 10, 12 and 14 operatively mounted in aconventional passenger vehicle or auto, indicated at 16. Mirrors 10 and12 are each plane mirrors which are positioned within the vehicle,mirror 10 being a conventional rear-view mirror and mirror 12 beingsuspended from the roof 17 of the auto in the drivers compartment, andmirror 14 is a spherical mirror which is mounted on the roof 17 of theauto.

Turning now also to FIG. 2 of the drawing, mirror 10, the conventionalplane rear-view mirror, is tilted upward slightly at the drivers optionin order to see the larger plane mirror 12 mounted rearwardly of mirrorl0,'and which faces forward. The surface of mirror 10 makes an anglepreferably of about 98 to about 102, e.g. 99, to the horizontal, andmirror 12 makes an angle preferably of about 60 to about 70, e.g. 61,with the horizontal. Typical sizes of conventional plane mirror 10 are9.5 X 2 and for planar mirror 12, 19 X 5 inches, although these sizesare understood to be only exemplary. Mirror 14 is mounted above the roofof the auto in an adjustable holding device 18 and consists of arectangular shaped spherical mirror segment facing the rear of thevehicle and tilted downward slightly so that the tangent to the face ofthe spherical mirror at the center line thereof, indicated at 19preferably makes an angle of about 50 to about 60, e.g. 53, with thehorizontal. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of the roof 17 of theautomobile is cut away to form a rectangular opening 20 and a clearglass window 22 is suitably mounted on such opening as by cementing soas to prevent water from entering the vehicle. The roof opening 20 issealed with a suitable sealing gasket 26 located between a roof mounting24 for mirror 12, and the roof 17 of the vehicle. Roof mounting 24 issuitably secured to roof l7, e.g. by means of suitable fasteners 24', asseen in FIG. 5.

The spherical mirror surface of the roof mounted mirror 14 can have aspherical radius, e.g. about 28 to 29 inches, and is generallyrectangular in external shape, as seen more clearly in FIG. 3a,representing a chord horizontally, e.g. of about 22 inches, and a chordin the other vertical axis of the mirror 14, e.g. of about 7 inches.Thus, mirror 14 is in effect a spherical seg ment with a rectangularexternal shape. As will be noted in greater detail below, the view seenby the driver in this spherical mirror permits the driver to see on,above and below the center line straight back from the vehicle, andbecause of the curved sides and curved mirror surface enablesftheoperator to see into the left and right quarters behind.

To illustrate, mirror 10 can normally be about 22 inches from thedrivers eye. Mirror '12, with dimensions noted above, can be about or.26inches to the rear from mirror 10, and mirror 14 willbe located aboveand slightly forward of mirror 12, and the center lines of mirrors 12and 14, indicated at 27, can be about 8 or 9 inches apart.

As will be further noted below, mirrors I0, 12 and 14 are all adjustablein varying degrees so that when combined with the dimensional variationsof the respective mirrors, the driver is assured of having the desiredview fill the mirror 10.

Mirrors 10, 12 and 14 are located essentially on the center line of thevehicle and as is noted in FIG. 2, a portion of the surface of mirror 12depends into the operators compartment but does not interfere with theoperator shown at 28, since the operator sits to the left of the centerline.

Viewing FIGS. 2, 3 and 3a, mirror 14 and its holder or housing 18, inthe form of a cross member, are mounted transversely across the vehicle,and are supported on a pair of spaced parallel front brackets 30extending substantially normal to cross member 18, brackets 30 beingsuitably connected to the cross member or housing 18 for mirror 14, asby welding or the like. The rectangular shaped spherical mirror 14 canbe mounted within a cavity 18' in mirror housing 18 by means of asuitable, e.g. plastic-like, cement, indicated at 14 which can fill orpartly fill the cavity 18 behind mirror 14. Brackets 30 extend forwardand downwardly at an angle as seen in FIG. 2, and are each connected attheir lower ends' to a "lower bracket 31 mounted on the roof 17 of thevehicle-The brackets 31 are each positioned on a weather sealing pad 33suitably cemented or attached to the outer surface of roof 17, and thebrackets 31 are each provided with a bottom plate 35 in contact withsuch pad. Bottom plates 35 and pad 33 are each provided with a pair ofaligned centrally positioned longitudinal slots 37 and 37, a fastener39, e.g. in the form of a rivet 'or screw, being received in such slots,and passing through the plate 35 and pad 33, and connected to the roof17, for holding brackets 31 in secure position. The slots 37 and 37'permit longitudinal adjustment of the brackets 31 with respect to eachother.

Brackets 31 are each provided with a clamping bolt 41 carrying a nut 43on its end for clamping the forward end of front brackets 30 to each ofthe respective lower brackets 31, such bolt and nut arrangementfunctioning as a friction clutch to elevate or lower the upper bracket30, so as to form any desired tilt angle of mirror 14. Suitable bosses45 and lock washers 47 are provided to effect a secure locking of thebolt and nut assembly 41,43. The adjustment of the relative longitudinal positions of the adjacent brackets 30 by the adjustable slot andscrew arrangements 37,39 and 37', 39, also permits adjustment of mirror14 to provide any desired small angle of mirror 14 in a horizontalplane, with the center line of the vehicle, if an angle other than tosuch center line is required for the mirror 14.

Viewing FIGS. 2 and 3, if desired, an elongated upwardly curved flap 47ais provided, which extends transversely of the vehicle below andparallel to the lower edge of mirror 14, leaving a space 47b between theflap and the lower forward edge of mirror holding bracket 30; The flap47a is suspended from a supporting arm 47c, the upper end of which issuitably connected as by welding, to the bracket 30. Flap 47a serves todeflect moving air up onto the mirror 14 to aid in self cleaning.

Referring to FIG. 2, rear-view mirror is mounted on the windshield 34 ofan automobile by means of a bracket 36 which can be cemented as at 38 tothe windshield. Mirror 10 is adjustable up or down and horizontally in aconventional manner as by pivotal motion on a swivel indicated at 38'mounted on the inner end of bracket 36.

Viewing FIGS. 2 and 5, plane mirror 12 is cemented as at 38 inches to abacking plate 40 which in turn is suspended from a shaft 42. The ends ofshaft 42 are positioned in end members 44 suspended from the roofmounting 24, such end members provided with slots 46 to permit the endsof shaft 42 to move in the horizontal plane but not in the verticalplane. Movement of the ends of shaft 42 in the horizontal plane iscontrolled by adjustment screws 48, the inner ends of each of suchscrews passing through a guide bore 48a of an interiorly extendingmember 48b integrally connected to adjacent end member 44', and abuttingat 48' an end portion of mirror shaft 42, which is maintained in contactwith the ends 48 of screws 48 by a pair of tension springs 49. Each suchspring is positioned adjacent the outer edge portion of mirror 12 andsubstantially parallel to the adjacent screw 48. One end portion of eachspring 49 is extended and looped at 49a around an end portion of shaft42 adjacent abutting end 48' of screw 48, the other end portion of eachspring 49 also being extended and suitably attached at its outer end asat 49b to the forward wall or cross member 51 suspended from therectangular roof mounting 24. Accordingly, the tension springs 49 tendto urge mirror shaft 42 forward against the ends 48' of adjustmentscrews 48. The other end of each of screws 48 is threadably engaged at50 with the cross members 51 of the top mounted frame 24. Thus, bysuitably rotating screws 48, either end of the shaft 42 can be movedforward or backward a desired small amount e.g. one-fourth inch, againstthe action of springs 49, in order to provide angular adjustment of themirror 12 in the horizontal plane, viewing FIG. 5, so as to bring itinto alignment with the cooperating positions of mirrors 10 and 14.

A pair of oppositely. positioned adjusting screws 52 are threadablyattached through the forward wall 51 of the top mounting assembly 24,the inner ends 52' of which make contact with the rear surface of mirrorbacking 40. Screws 52 are provided to adjust the tilt angle at which thesurface of the mirror plane 12 is suspended from shaft 42, so that byscrewing the adjustment screws 52 in a direction to the left, viewingFIG. 2, the mirror will be raised to increase the angle thereof with thehorizontal, and by screwing it in the opposite direction, mirror 12 islowered to decrease the angle of the mirror with the horizontal.

Both the adjusting screws 48 and 52, as shown, are located above theroof liner or upholstery 54 in the automobile, but alternatively can belocated in the operators compartment so that the adjustments of mirror12 can be made by the operator without disturbing the roof liner orcovering. However, it will be understood that as shown, adjusting screws48 and 52 are normally available to the operator inside the hollowrecess 53 formed between the four walls of the top mounted assembly 24,which has an opening 55, and is hollow so as to permit the passage ofthe light rays from exterior spherical mirror 14 to mirror 12, along thelines indicated at 56, by passage through glass window 22.

The interior roof liner or upholstery 54 can be secured against thesides of the roof-mounted cover or housing 24 at the bottom thereof soas to close the opening around the assembly 24 completely. For thispurpose, an arc-like groove 58 can be machined or cast around the basesof the roof-mounted assembly 24 so that a continuous looped spring 60 orsimilar equivalent means can be employed to press the ends of the roofliner fabric and hold the fabric tight against the sides of theroof-mounted assembly 24, so as to close off any gaps between the roofliner and the roofmounted assembly.

Materials for the components of the roof mounting assembly 24 caninclude molded plastics, cast aluminum or die cast metals, which can besuitably plated for decorative purposes, the adjusting screws 48 and 52being normally made of metal.

Also, the adjustable holding device 18 for mirror 14, including brackets30 and 31 and the components thereof including the nut and bolt clutchassembly 41,43 can be composed of appropriate metals and may bedecoratively plated.

It will be understood from the drawings, that various vehicles mayrequire variations in mirror sizes and relative distances or locations.Thus, for example, the top mount assembly 18 for mirror 14 could bemoved forward several inches in which case the roof-mounted assembly 24would correspondingly be moved forward and the mirror angles involvedwould change somewhat, but the overall function and purpose of theinvention concept would remain the same.

Also, it will be noted that although FIG. 2 of the drawing shows thelight rays 56 passing through the top mounted window 22 withoutrefraction, it will be understood that some minor adjustments may berequired in the position of the top mounted spherical mirror 14 toaccount for a few degrees of refraction which would occur as the lightpasses through the top mounted transparent member 22. Since the amountof adjustment required and the refraction angle are very small, theeffect is not illustrated. In any event, the angle of refraction of thelight rays passing through the window 22 may for practical purposes beneglected, since the window 22 is generally relatively thin.

Mirror 12 fills or essentially fills the field of view of theconventional adjustable rear-view mirror 10, with the operators eyeposition, as illustrated, e.g. approximately 22 inches from mirror 10.Mirror 14 fills or essentially fills the field of view of mirror 12 insuch a way that the operator when desiring information about trafficnear the left or the right quarter panels, and desiring information atthe same time about traffic to the rear, or any combination thereof, canobtain the data in a single image presentation of mirror 10 with noadditional energy, or time, or fatigue required over what he wouldordinarily have to utilize with the conventional rear-view mirror in theconventional manner. If desired, by tilting mirror 10 downward, theconventional use of the rear-view mirror permits the operator to see anarrower field of view, e.g. of approximately 25, through the rearwindow, as is the case in usual present practice.

Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawing, this is a plan view schematicillustration of the rear-view device of the invention, illustrating therelative positions of the vehicle operator and of the three mirrorsurfaces, and showing the angles of refraction of the light rays fromthe three mirror surfaces. Surface BSC represents the plane adjustablerear-view mirror 10. Surface DTE represents the surface of the planemirror 12 facing forward, and surface GUF is the spherical mirror 14,facing rearward. The operators eyes have a locus at A and he has anormal forward view through the windshield indicated by dotted line 34.It will be noted that the driver is positioned to the left of the centerline PQ of the automobile and of the respective mirrors l0, l2 and 14.

The operators normal field of view when seated is between the lines ABand AC into the rear-view mirror BSC and his rear vision is thusconfined to the angle included by the two extreme outer rays DB and ECwhich are reflected from the outer extremities of mirror BSC to form theincident rays AB and AC, respectively. In the case illustrated, theangle formed by the two extreme outer rays DB and EC when extended is25, approximately the angle viewed in the rear-view mirror in anordinary, modern passenger automobile. The mirror surface DTE (l2)reflects the view forward again into the rear-viewing spherical mirrorGUF (14). This enables the operator at A to see the entire are or fieldincluded in the angle HKJ which in the present instance is 1 16. Thecenter of the spherical mirror radial lines LF and MG is at N, on thecenter line of the automobile, along the line PQ. Centers of the othertwo mirrors are also on the automobile center line, as noted above, thecenter of mirror 12 being at T and of mirror 10 at S. Thus, thespherical mirror 14 collects incident light along HF on the left side toJG on the right side and reflects all of the field included between HFand JG back to the operator at A.

The position of point K on center line PO is determined by extendinginward the incident rays HF and JG, whose directions are functions ofreflected rays DF and EG, respectively, from mirror 12, and of theradius of curvature FN of spherical mirror 14. Hence, the position of Kdetermines the field of view angle, HKJ, representing the included viewangle of the operator at A, when viewing the field by means of theinvention apparatus.

The position of the operators eye locus at A and of mirror 10 willremain relatively fixed for various posi tions of mirrors 14 and 12,which may be moved forward or rearward from the position shown, withcorresponding changes in the width and height of each, without alteringthe invention concept. Thus for example the chord GF of the sphericalmirror 14 may be located further behind, on, or even ahead of the planeAV, denoting the plane of the operator's eye position, depending on anydesired adjustments.

Also, none of the mirrors need be positioned exactly on the center linePQ. Thus, for example mirrors l2 and 14 can be positioned off the centerline somewhat, and, if properly aligned, still function in the desiredmanner. Thus for example by rotating the plane of mirror 10 about thepoint S so as to increase the angle BSQ by about l0, the surface ofmirrors 12 and 14 would be shifted several inches to the operators leftof the center line PO.

Also, the radius of curvature of the spherical mirror 14, defined byline FN can be changed somewhat without altering the invention concept.Thus, if the radius FN were longer, the central angle LNM of thespherical mirror 14 would decrease and the angles LFD and EGM woulddecrease correspondingly. Under these conditions, point K would then berelocated further toward the front of the vehicle (to the left viewingFlG. 6), and the field of view of the operator would correspondinglydecrease. Thus, for example, increasing the radius of curvature FN ofspherical mirror 14 from 28 inches to 30 inches, would decrease thefield angle HKJ from 1 16 to 108, which is still highly satisfactory.The radius of curvature of spherical mirror 14 is generally selected,for purposes of the invention, such that the spherical mirror provides afield of view ranging from about to about Conversely, if the radius ofcurvature of spherical mirror 14 were shortened, then the field angleHKJ would be increased. Hence it is clearly apparent that the radius ofcurvature FN of spherical mirror 14 can be selected to provide aparticular field angle HKJ as required by design specifications.

It will be understood that the specific dimensions, distances and anglesgiven in the above description are substantially exemplary, and can varywithin the perview of the invention.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the invention provides a relativelysimple and economical rear-view mirror apparatus for vehicles,particularly automobiles, to accomplish the main objectives ofsubstantially increasing the field of view of the operator so as toprovide a sufficiently wide-angle view to permit the operator to seeinto the blind spots left and right of the vehicle, with a simple glanceat his conventional rear-view mirror, without requiring the operator toswivel his head and eyes back and forth to see the image and hencedistracting him from the conditions of the road ahead.

I claim:

1. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle having a body, a firstadjustable substantially plane rear-view mirror mounted within and atthe forward end of said body of said vehicle, a second substantiallyplane mirror spaced from said first mirror and mounted within said bodyof said vehicle and facing forwardly, said second mirror beingpositioned so that light rays reflected from said second mirror impingeon said first mirror, a third spherical mirror mounted above said bodyexteriorly thereof, said spherical mirror facing the rear of saidvehicle and being tilted downwardly, means providing an opening in thetop of said body, permitting light rays reflected from said third mirrorto pass through said opening and to impinge on said second mirror, saidfirst, second and third mirrors being so arranged and of sizes wherebythe operator of said vehicle can see at a glance in said first rear-viewmirror a wide field of view over the top of said body to the rearthereof.

2. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle, as defined in claim 1,including means for adjusting the tilt angle of said second mirror withrespect to the horizontal, and means for adjusting the tilt angle ofsaid third mirror with respect to the horizontal.

3. A rear-view mirror device as defined in claim 1, including meansproviding angular adjustment of said second mirror in a horizontal planeand means for providing angular adjustment of said third mirror in ahorizontal plane.

4. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim I,wherein said spherical mirror is in the form of a spherical segmenthaving a radius of curvature such that said spherical mirror provides afield of view angle ranging from about 100 to about 120, with the 9center line of said vehicle approximately bisecting said field of viewangle. A

5. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 1, thesizes of said respective mirrors and their relative positions being suchthat said second mirror substantially fills the field of view of saidfirst mirror with respect to the position of the eye of the operator,and said third mirror substantially fills the field of view of saidsecond mirror.

6. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 1,including means for adjusting the tilt angle of said first mirror withrespect to the horizontal and for adjusting the angle of said firstmirror in a horizontal plane, means for adjusting the tilt angle of saidsec ond mirror with respect to the horizontal, and means for adjustingthe tilt angle of said third mirror with respect to the horizontal,means providing angular adjustment of said second mirror in a horizontalplane and means for providing angular adjustment of said third mirror ina horizontal plane, and wherein said third spherical mirror ispositioned above and slightly forward of said second mirror.

A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid first, second and third mirrors are progressively larger in area,to thereby fill the field of view in said first mirror.

8. A rear-view mirror device as defined in claim 1, said first, secondand third mirrors being mounted approximately on the center line of saidvehicle, said device being arranged so that the operator of said vehiclecan see in said rear-view mirror an at least 100 wide field of view overthe top of said body to the rear thereof including an at least 50 wideview on each side of the center line of said vehicle.

9. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 1,wherein said first mirror makes an angle of about 98 to about 102 withthe horizontal, said second mirror makes an angle of about 60 to about70 with the horizontal, and wherein a tangent to the face of saidspherical mirror at the horizontal center line thereof makes an angle ofabout 50 to about 60 with the horizontal.

10. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle having a body, a top, afront windshield and a rear window, comprising a first adjustablesubstantially plane rear-view mirror mounted within and at the forwardend of said body of said vehicle, a second substantially plane mirrorspaced from said first mirror and mounted within said body of saidvehicle and facing forwardly, said second mirror being positioned sothat light rays reflected from said second mirror impinge on said firstmirror, a third spherical mirrormounted over said top of said vehicleexteriorly thereof, said spherical mirror facing the rear of saidvehicle and being tilted downwardly, means providing an opening in thetop of said vehicle and a transparent window mounted in said opening andpermitting light rays reflected from said third mirror to pass throughsaid transparent window and to impinge on said second mirror, saidfirst, second and third mirrors being mounted approximately on thecenter line of said vehicle and so arranged and of sizes whereby theoperator of said vehicle can see at a glance in said first rear-viewmirror at least a 100 wide field of view over the top of said vehicle tothe rear thereof, including an at least 50 wide view.on each side ofsaid center line.

11. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle, as defined in claim 10,including means for adjusting the tilt angle of said second mirror withrespect to the horizontal, means for adjusting the tilt angle of saidthird mirror with respect to the horizontal, means providing angularadjustment of said second mirror in a horizontal plane and means forproviding angular adjustment of said third mirror in a horizontal plane.

12. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 10,wherein said spherical mirror is in the form of a spherical segmenthaving a radius of curvature such that said spherical mirror provides afield of view angle ranging from about to about with the center line ofsaid vehicle approximately bisecting said field of view angle.

13. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 12, thesizes of'said respective mirrors and their relative positions being suchthat said second mir ror substantially fills the field of view of saidfirst mirror with respect to the position of the eye of the operator,and said third mirror substantially fills the field of view of saidsecond mirror.

14. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 10,wherein said third spherical mirror is positioned above and slightlyforward of said second mirror, said window being positioned in asubstantially horizontal plane between said second and third mir' rors,and including'means sealing said opening in said top around said window,to prevent dirt and moisture from entering said vehicle.

15. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 10, saidfirst rear-view mirror being adjustable to tilt upwardly to a firstoperative position, whereby said second mirror substantially fills thefield of view of said first mirror, and said first mirror is adjustableto tilt downward from said first position to a second position whereinsaid first mirror is inoperative to provide said at least 100 wide fieldof view over the top of said vehicle, but is operative to provide a viewthrough said rear window of said vehicle.

16. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 10,wherein said first, second and third mirrors are progressively larger inarea, to thereby fill the field of view in said first mirror, andwherein said first mirror makes an angle of about 98 to about 102 withthe horizontal, said second mirror makes an angle of about 60 to about70 with the horizontal, and wherein a tangent to the face of saidspherical mirror at the horizontal center line thereof makes an angle ofabout 50 to about 60 with the horizontal.

17. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 10,including means for mounting said first mirror on said windshield, meansfor adjusting the tilt angle of said first mirror with respect to thehorizontal and for adjusting the angle of said first mirror in ahorizontal plane, means for mounting said second mirror in the body ofsaid vehicle so as to depend from the top of said vehicle into the bodyof said vehicle above the operator and to his right, including firstadjustable screw means for adjusting the vertical angle of said secondmirror to the horizontal and a second adjustable screw means to adjustthe horizontal angular position of said second mirror with respect tothe center line of said vehicle, means mounting said third sphericalmirror on the top of said vehicle, said last-mentioned means includingan adjustable holding device for said third mirror, said last-mentioneddevice including cooperating support bracket means and friction clutchmeans connected to said bracket means, for adjusting the vertical angleof said third mirror to the horizontal, and means for adjusting thehorizontal angular position of said third mirror to vary the angle ofsaid third mirror with respect to the center line of said vehicle.

18. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 11,wherein said spherical mirror is in the form of a rectangular sphericalsegment having a radius of curvature such that said spherical mirrorprovides a field of view angle ranging from about 100 to about l20, withthe center line of said vehicle approximately bisecting said field ofview angle, the size of said mir rors and their relative positions beingsuch that said second mirror substantially fills the field of view ofsaid first mirror with respect to the position of the eye of theoperator, and said third mirror substantially fills the field of view ofsaid second mirror.

19. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 18,wherein said third spherical mirror is positioned above and slightlyforward of said second mirror, said window being positioned in asubstantially horizontal plane between said second and third mirrors,and including means sealing said opening in said top around said window,to prevent dirt and moisture from entering said vehicle.

20. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 19, saidfirst rear-view mirror being adjustable to tilt upwardly to a firstoperative position, whereby said second mirror substantially fills thefield of view of said first mirror, and said first mirror is adjustableto tilt downward from said first position to a second position whereinsaid first mirror is inoperative to provide said at least 100 wide fieldof view over the top of said vehicle, but is operative to provide a viewthrough said rear window of said vehicle, and wherein said first, secondand third mirrors are progressively larger in area.

21. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 10,including means for mounting said first mirror on said windshield, meansfor mounting said second mirror in the body of said vehicle so as todepend from the top of said vehicle into the body of said vehicle abovethe operator and to his right, including first adjustable screw meansfor adjusting the vertical angle of said second mirror to the horizontaland a second adjustable screw means to adjust the horizontal angularposition of said second mirror with respect to the center line of saidvehicle, means mounting said third spherical mirror on the top of saidvehicle, said lastmentioned means including an adjustable holding devicefor said third mirror, said last-mentioned device including cooperatingsupporting bracket means and friction clutch means connected to saidbracket means, for adjusting the vertical angle of said third mirror tothe horizontal, and wherein said first mirror makes an angle of about 98to about 102 with the horizontal, said second mirror makes an angle ofabout 60 to about 70 with the horizontal, and wherein a tangent to theface of said spherical mirror at the horizontal center line thereofmakes an angle of about 50 to about 60 with the horizontal.

22. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 21,including a backing plate for said second mirror, said last-mentionedmirror being cemented to said plate, a shaft connected to said backingplate, a support member connected to the interior of the roof of saidvehicle, end members connected to said support member, a horizontal slotin each of said end members, the opposite ends of said shaft beingreceived in said slots, to permit the ends of said shaft to move in ahorizontal plane, said first adjustable screw means comprising a firstpair of adjustable screws, each of said screws being connected to oneend of said shaft and including members for threadably engaging theopposite end of said screws, whereby rotation of said screws permitsmovement of the ends of said shaft in a horizontal plane to provideangular adjustment of the mirror surface in said plane, said secondadjustable screw means comprising a second pair of' adjustment screws,means threadably engaging said last-mentioned adjustable screws in saidtop support member, said last-mentioned screws being in contact withsaid backing plate of said second mirror, whereby the vertical angle ofsaid second mirror can be adjusted to raise or lower the tilt anglethereof.

23. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 22, theends of said first pair of adjustable screws each abutting said shaft,and including tension spring means connected at one end to said shaftand at the other end to said support member and maintaning said shaftagainst said ends of said first pair of adjustable screws.

24. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 21, saidcooperating supporting bracket means for said holding device for saidthird spherical mirror including a pair of spaced first brackets, saidfirst brackets supporting said spherical mirror at one end thereof, apair of second spaced brackets, means mounting said second brackets onthe top of said vehicle, said friction clutch means comprising a nut andbolt arrangement connecting each of said first brackets to a secondbracket, and for adjusting the angular position of said respective firstand second brackets, to

thereby adjust the vertical tilt angle of said spherical mirror.

25. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 24, saidmeans mounting said pair of second spaced brackets on the top of saidvehicle including a bottom plate connected to each of said secondbrackets, slot means in each of said bottom plates, and adjustablefastening means received in said slot means and connected to the top ofsaid vehicle, permitting adjustment of said spherical mirror in thehorizontal plane with respect to the center line of said vehicle.

26. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 23, saidcooperating bracket means for said holding device for said thirdspherical mirror including a pair of spaced first brackets, said firstbrackets sup porting said spherical mirror at one end thereof, a pair ofspaced brackets, means mounting said second brackets on the top of saidvehicle, said friction clutch means comprising a nut and boltarrangement connecting each of said first brackets to a second bracket,and for adjusting the angular position of said respective first andsecond brackets, to thereby adjust the vertical tilt angle of saidspherical mirror, said means mounting said second spaced brackets on thetop of said vehicle including a bottom plate connected to each of saidsecond brackets, slot means in each of said bottom plates, andadjustable fastening means received in said slot means and connected tothe top of said vehicle, permitting adjustment of said spherical mirrorin the horizontal plane with respect to the center line of said vehicle,and wherein said first mirror makes an angle of about 98 to about 102with the horizontal, said second mirror makes an angle of about 60 toabout with the horizontal, and wherein a tangent to the face of saidspherical mirror at the horizontal center line thereof makes an angle ofabout 50 to about 60 with the horizontal.

1. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle having a body, a firstadjustable substantially plane rear-view mirror mountEd within and atthe forward end of said body of said vehicle, a second substantiallyplane mirror spaced from said first mirror and mounted within said bodyof said vehicle and facing forwardly, said second mirror beingpositioned so that light rays reflected from said second mirror impingeon said first mirror, a third spherical mirror mounted above said bodyexteriorly thereof, said spherical mirror facing the rear of saidvehicle and being tilted downwardly, means providing an opening in thetop of said body, permitting light rays reflected from said third mirrorto pass through said opening and to impinge on said second mirror, saidfirst, second and third mirrors being so arranged and of sizes wherebythe operator of said vehicle can see at a glance in said first rear-viewmirror a wide field of view over the top of said body to the rearthereof.
 2. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle, as defined in claim1, including means for adjusting the tilt angle of said second mirrorwith respect to the horizontal, and means for adjusting the tilt angleof said third mirror with respect to the horizontal.
 3. A rear-viewmirror device as defined in claim 1, including means providing angularadjustment of said second mirror in a horizontal plane and means forproviding angular adjustment of said third mirror in a horizontal plane.4. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 1,wherein said spherical mirror is in the form of a spherical segmenthaving a radius of curvature such that said spherical mirror provides afield of view angle ranging from about 100* to about 120*, with thecenter line of said vehicle approximately bisecting said field of viewangle.
 5. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 1,the sizes of said respective mirrors and their relative positions beingsuch that said second mirror substantially fills the field of view ofsaid first mirror with respect to the position of the eye of theoperator, and said third mirror substantially fills the field of view ofsaid second mirror.
 6. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle asdefined in claim 1, including means for adjusting the tilt angle of saidfirst mirror with respect to the horizontal and for adjusting the angleof said first mirror in a horizontal plane, means for adjusting the tiltangle of said second mirror with respect to the horizontal, and meansfor adjusting the tilt angle of said third mirror with respect to thehorizontal, means providing angular adjustment of said second mirror ina horizontal plane and means for providing angular adjustment of saidthird mirror in a horizontal plane, and wherein said third sphericalmirror is positioned above and slightly forward of said second mirror.7. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 1,wherein said first, second and third mirrors are progressively larger inarea, to thereby fill the field of view in said first mirror.
 8. Arear-view mirror device as defined in claim 1, said first, second andthird mirrors being mounted approximately on the center line of saidvehicle, said device being arranged so that the operator of said vehiclecan see in said rear-view mirror an at least 100* wide field of viewover the top of said body to the rear thereof including an at least 50*wide view on each side of the center line of said vehicle.
 9. Arear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid first mirror makes an angle of about 98* to about 102* with thehorizontal, said second mirror makes an angle of about 60* to about 70*with the horizontal, and wherein a tangent to the face of said sphericalmirror at the horizontal center line thereof makes an angle of about 50*to about 60* with the horizontal.
 10. A rear-view mirror device for avehicle having a body, a top, a front windshield and a rear window,comprising a first adjustable substantially plaNe rear-view mirrormounted within and at the forward end of said body of said vehicle, asecond substantially plane mirror spaced from said first mirror andmounted within said body of said vehicle and facing forwardly, saidsecond mirror being positioned so that light rays reflected from saidsecond mirror impinge on said first mirror, a third spherical mirrormounted over said top of said vehicle exteriorly thereof, said sphericalmirror facing the rear of said vehicle and being tilted downwardly,means providing an opening in the top of said vehicle and a transparentwindow mounted in said opening and permitting light rays reflected fromsaid third mirror to pass through said transparent window and to impingeon said second mirror, said first, second and third mirrors beingmounted approximately on the center line of said vehicle and so arrangedand of sizes whereby the operator of said vehicle can see at a glance insaid first rear-view mirror at least a 100* wide field of view over thetop of said vehicle to the rear thereof, including an at least 50* wideview on each side of said center line.
 11. A rear-view mirror device fora vehicle, as defined in claim 10, including means for adjusting thetilt angle of said second mirror with respect to the horizontal, meansfor adjusting the tilt angle of said third mirror with respect to thehorizontal, means providing angular adjustment of said second mirror ina horizontal plane and means for providing angular adjustment of saidthird mirror in a horizontal plane.
 12. A rear-view mirror device for avehicle as defined in claim 10, wherein said spherical mirror is in theform of a spherical segment having a radius of curvature such that saidspherical mirror provides a field of view angle ranging from about 100*to about 120*, with the center line of said vehicle approximatelybisecting said field of view angle.
 13. A rear-view mirror device for avehicle as defined in claim 12, the sizes of said respective mirrors andtheir relative positions being such that said second mirrorsubstantially fills the field of view of said first mirror with respectto the position of the eye of the operator, and said third mirrorsubstantially fills the field of view of said second mirror.
 14. Arear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 10, whereinsaid third spherical mirror is positioned above and slightly forward ofsaid second mirror, said window being positioned in a substantiallyhorizontal plane between said second and third mirrors, and includingmeans sealing said opening in said top around said window, to preventdirt and moisture from entering said vehicle.
 15. A rear-view mirrordevice for a vehicle as defined in claim 10, said first rear-view mirrorbeing adjustable to tilt upwardly to a first operative position, wherebysaid second mirror substantially fills the field of view of said firstmirror, and said first mirror is adjustable to tilt downward from saidfirst position to a second position wherein said first mirror isinoperative to provide said at least 100* wide field of view over thetop of said vehicle, but is operative to provide a view through saidrear window of said vehicle.
 16. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicleas defined in claim 10, wherein said first, second and third mirrors areprogressively larger in area, to thereby fill the field of view in saidfirst mirror, and wherein said first mirror makes an angle of about 98*to about 102* with the horizontal, said second mirror makes an angle ofabout 60* to about 70* with the horizontal, and wherein a tangent to theface of said spherical mirror at the horizontal center line thereofmakes an angle of about 50* to about 60* with the horizontal.
 17. Arear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 10, includingmeans for mounting said first mirror on said windshield, means foradjusting the tilt aNgle of said first mirror with respect to thehorizontal and for adjusting the angle of said first mirror in ahorizontal plane, means for mounting said second mirror in the body ofsaid vehicle so as to depend from the top of said vehicle into the bodyof said vehicle above the operator and to his right, including firstadjustable screw means for adjusting the vertical angle of said secondmirror to the horizontal and a second adjustable screw means to adjustthe horizontal angular position of said second mirror with respect tothe center line of said vehicle, means mounting said third sphericalmirror on the top of said vehicle, said last-mentioned means includingan adjustable holding device for said third mirror, said last-mentioneddevice including cooperating support bracket means and friction clutchmeans connected to said bracket means, for adjusting the vertical angleof said third mirror to the horizontal, and means for adjusting thehorizontal angular position of said third mirror to vary the angle ofsaid third mirror with respect to the center line of said vehicle.
 18. Arear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 11, whereinsaid spherical mirror is in the form of a rectangular spherical segmenthaving a radius of curvature such that said spherical mirror provides afield of view angle ranging from about 100* to about 120*, with thecenter line of said vehicle approximately bisecting said field of viewangle, the size of said mirrors and their relative positions being suchthat said second mirror substantially fills the field of view of saidfirst mirror with respect to the position of the eye of the operator,and said third mirror substantially fills the field of view of saidsecond mirror.
 19. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicle as defined inclaim 18, wherein said third spherical mirror is positioned above andslightly forward of said second mirror, said window being positioned ina substantially horizontal plane between said second and third mirrors,and including means sealing said opening in said top around said window,to prevent dirt and moisture from entering said vehicle.
 20. A rear-viewmirror device for a vehicle as defined in claim 19, said first rear-viewmirror being adjustable to tilt upwardly to a first operative position,whereby said second mirror substantially fills the field of view of saidfirst mirror, and said first mirror is adjustable to tilt downward fromsaid first position to a second position wherein said first mirror isinoperative to provide said at least 100* wide field of view over thetop of said vehicle, but is operative to provide a view through saidrear window of said vehicle, and wherein said first, second and thirdmirrors are progressively larger in area.
 21. A rear-view mirror devicefor a vehicle as defined in claim 10, including means for mounting saidfirst mirror on said windshield, means for mounting said second mirrorin the body of said vehicle so as to depend from the top of said vehicleinto the body of said vehicle above the operator and to his right,including first adjustable screw means for adjusting the vertical angleof said second mirror to the horizontal and a second adjustable screwmeans to adjust the horizontal angular position of said second mirrorwith respect to the center line of said vehicle, means mounting saidthird spherical mirror on the top of said vehicle, said last-mentionedmeans including an adjustable holding device for said third mirror, saidlast-mentioned device including cooperating supporting bracket means andfriction clutch means connected to said bracket means, for adjusting thevertical angle of said third mirror to the horizontal, and wherein saidfirst mirror makes an angle of about 98* to about 102* with thehorizontal, said second mirror makes an angle of about 60* to about 70*with the horizontal, and wherein a tangent to the face of said sphericalmirror at the horizontal center Line thereof makes an angle of about 50*to about 60* with the horizontal.
 22. A rear-view mirror device for avehicle as defined in claim 21, including a backing plate for saidsecond mirror, said last-mentioned mirror being cemented to said plate,a shaft connected to said backing plate, a support member connected tothe interior of the roof of said vehicle, end members connected to saidsupport member, a horizontal slot in each of said end members, theopposite ends of said shaft being received in said slots, to permit theends of said shaft to move in a horizontal plane, said first adjustablescrew means comprising a first pair of adjustable screws, each of saidscrews being connected to one end of said shaft and including membersfor threadably engaging the opposite end of said screws, wherebyrotation of said screws permits movement of the ends of said shaft in ahorizontal plane to provide angular adjustment of the mirror surface insaid plane, said second adjustable screw means comprising a second pairof adjustment screws, means threadably engaging said last-mentionedadjustable screws in said top support member, said last-mentioned screwsbeing in contact with said backing plate of said second mirror, wherebythe vertical angle of said second mirror can be adjusted to raise orlower the tilt angle thereof.
 23. A rear-view mirror device for avehicle as defined in claim 22, the ends of said first pair ofadjustable screws each abutting said shaft, and including tension springmeans connected at one end to said shaft and at the other end to saidsupport member and maintaning said shaft against said ends of said firstpair of adjustable screws.
 24. A rear-view mirror device for a vehicleas defined in claim 21, said cooperating supporting bracket means forsaid holding device for said third spherical mirror including a pair ofspaced first brackets, said first brackets supporting said sphericalmirror at one end thereof, a pair of second spaced brackets, meansmounting said second brackets on the top of said vehicle, said frictionclutch means comprising a nut and bolt arrangement connecting each ofsaid first brackets to a second bracket, and for adjusting the angularposition of said respective first and second brackets, to thereby adjustthe vertical tilt angle of said spherical mirror.
 25. A rear-view mirrordevice for a vehicle as defined in claim 24, said means mounting saidpair of second spaced brackets on the top of said vehicle including abottom plate connected to each of said second brackets, slot means ineach of said bottom plates, and adjustable fastening means received insaid slot means and connected to the top of said vehicle, permittingadjustment of said spherical mirror in the horizontal plane with respectto the center line of said vehicle.
 26. A rear-view mirror device for avehicle as defined in claim 23, said cooperating bracket means for saidholding device for said third spherical mirror including a pair ofspaced first brackets, said first brackets supporting said sphericalmirror at one end thereof, a pair of spaced brackets, means mountingsaid second brackets on the top of said vehicle, said friction clutchmeans comprising a nut and bolt arrangement connecting each of saidfirst brackets to a second bracket, and for adjusting the angularposition of said respective first and second brackets, to thereby adjustthe vertical tilt angle of said spherical mirror, said means mountingsaid second spaced brackets on the top of said vehicle including abottom plate connected to each of said second brackets, slot means ineach of said bottom plates, and adjustable fastening means received insaid slot means and connected to the top of said vehicle, permittingadjustment of said spherical mirror in the horizontal plane with respectto the center line of said vehicle, and wherein said first mirror makesan angle of about 98* to about 102* with the horizontal, said secondmirror makes an angLe of about 60* to about 70* with the horizontal, andwherein a tangent to the face of said spherical mirror at the horizontalcenter line thereof makes an angle of about 50* to about 60* with thehorizontal.